Munter ready to make comeback

Scottsdale, Ariz. — One of the forgotten pitchers in camp is Scott Munter, the 6-foot-6 right-hander who burst into the majors in 2005 on the strength of his heavy “bowling-ball sinker.” When then-manager Felipe Alou needed a groundball, he called on Munter and usually got one.

Michael Maloney/The Chronicle

Munter

Munter’s 2.56 ERA, in 45 games as a rookie, looked like a fluke when he followed with an 8.74 last year. However, Munter now admits he still was not right from what was supposed to be a minor offseason elbow operation.

In fact, Munter said, he did not fully regain his arm strength until November, more than a month after the 2006 season ended. One can find parallels in Joe Nathan, who needed more than two years to regain his arm strength after a supposedly minor shoulder operation.

“In 2004, 2005, I had to have a strong arm,” Munter said. “A lot of guys say you throw a better sinker when your arm is weak, but for me, my arm has to be strong to be able to throw it the way I want to throw it. Now, I definitely have a lot better base of strength”

It has shown in early bullpen sessions. The hitters (who are behind the pitchers) are beating a lot of Munter’s sinkers into the ground. He might have fallen off the fans’ radar, but not the team’s. He is in the mix for a bullpen spot.